NAP 200 to NAP 250 - sound signature

It's pretty obvious which one is NAP 250DR

Hungryhalibut posted:

You don't mention your sources either. This may be the area that could better benefit. Putting system details in your profile may be a good idea. 

I wouldn't change from a 200 to a 250.2, but the DR is entirely different. I'd also wonder about the virtues of a third party power supply between 282 and 200/250. 

 Also have you tried to power the 282 directly from the 200 ?

You forgot picture of the original 250 which show another completely different design/electronics

Much more order, a work of art, allthough I hardly think pictures decide which one are best, I think the wiring in above 250 looks a bit untidy, the 200 looks fine though not an amp for me.

well there are some differences to observe.

250 DR and 250.2 have a 1020 VA transformer

200 has a 430 VA transformer

200 is unregulated and the smoothing of the raw power supply is done by capacitors

250 is regulated and you will see 4 boards (2 for each channel), basically one board is regulation, one board is the amplifier)

Olive NAP 250

I would change from 200 to 250.2 as I found it preferable. More weight to the bass, more drive and better dynamics.

But that is me talking. You'd be better off listening with your own ears rather than the varied opinions on the forum.

As Richard has said in other threads,  "better" is very subjective .

System, room and your ears and musical preferences have a bigger part to play.

The DR is a further step up which, at a price,  gives more insight into my musical choices, but we've all got to stop upgrading somewhere and just enjoy the music.

I have owned NAP100, NAP200 and NAP250DR. The biggest upgrade was to the 250DR, it is just an awesome upgrade. 

Ardbeg10y posted:

analogmusic posted:

fair enough HH, maybe I do need to tone it down.

 

No you don't need to. It is a forum and your replies are well appreciated. I found HH's comment pedant.

Humans, interesting creatures!

The Forum is entertaining, to say the least!

But more important, it is educational.

Apodictic!

I didn't know the meaning, looked it up, and learned a lot about my delivery!

Still a work in progress, but one day at a time!

Allante93!

PS. Sometimes, music is the only thing that can describe the unspoken word.

Picture quote.

cheeselet posted:

I would change from 200 to 250.2 as I found it preferable. More weight to the bass, more drive and better dynamics.

But that is me talking. You'd be better off listening with your own ears rather than the varied opinions on the forum.

As Richard has said in other threads,  "better" is very subjective .

System, room and your ears and musical preferences have a bigger part to play.

The DR is a further step up which, at a price,  gives more insight into my musical choices, but we've all got to stop upgrading somewhere and just enjoy the music.

 

So, I took the bait and bought a 2015 era 250.2. It is not DR, which I am sure gets me a black mark from many people.  However, at this point I am not too fussed as the 250.2 is a big step up from the 200.  Now to be fair to the 200, I did love it but reasoned that my power hungry Dynaudio Focus 160s might be leaving it a bit short of puff at certain times.  Having set up the 250.2, well I was either correct in my assumption or the 250.2 is just a big step up.  

It is clearly a darker sound, but the extra bass is tight and never unruly.  However, I am finding improvements all across the board.  There are more layers, more depth, more texture.  It sounds effortless too, which might be what some people find off putting.  For me, this is the 200s grown up brother, more style and sophistication than exuberance and pluck. This has taken my system another rung up the ladder.  Happy chap.

Two weeks on, and the first impressions have proved right.  I changed the Mojo to 282 interconnect and the sound has become even more open.  Yes, the DR mod is on the agenda, but I fully understand how 282/250 got its reputation.  It has brought a new insight into my music collection.

Glad you are enjoying your upgrade NJB I too really enjoyed my own 282/200 >> 282/250-2 and although I've gone up to 282/300 I would have happily stayed with the 282/250-2 

Good to see that you enjoy your upgrade. Always keep remembering that your upgrades contribute in the right direction of what you need. I see to often that people have a weak source and try to overcompensate with amplification upgrades. Obviously when speakers are difficult to drive poweramps need to be considered, but very often that’s something which should be lower on the priority list....

For now enjoy what you have the 282 and the 250 are a nice pair together. With the right source they can do miracles ...

good point Bert, indeed the source is underestimated often, and also the cable that connects the source to the preamp.

It is always easier and cheaper to buy non-naim cables (well not always cheaper), but Naim cables are the ones designed for Naim equipment.

It is easily audible too.

Bert, I can only agree with your logic.  It is a bit if a chicken and egg puzzle though.  My Dynaudio speakers have clearly benefited from the move from 200 - 250.  I am hearing much more in my music, or rather the amount that is getting to the amplifier.  I am using a Chord Mojo, which seems to polarise opinion in my system.  It is described somewhere between a toy and a serious DAC that punches well above its weight and holds its own in a main system.  The dealer that sold me the 250 reckons he has some suggestions to improve on it as he ‘has never really understood why the Mojo etc get such rave reviews’.  Mmmm, no doubt one of the lines that he stocks is the best one for me? Or am I being too cynical.

it is always a matter of opinion. Some people think Dynaudio is not their cup of tea, but then owners of Dynaudio speaker don't listen to such opinions about their speakers 

Personally for me, the Hugo 2 easily betters the Mojo and the right level of source for a 282/250 is a Hugo 2.